Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice on my iron swing and stance. I’ve been playing golf for a few years now, but I’m still struggling to consistently hit good shots with my irons. My drives and woods seem to be okay, but I tend to slice or push my iron shots, especially on longer approaches.
I’ve been trying to work on my stance and posture, but I’m not sure if I’m doing it right. Should my feet be shoulder-width apart? How much knee flex is ideal? And how much weight should I have on my front foot versus my back foot?
Any tips or drills you can recommend to help me improve my iron play and get a better, more consistent ball flight would be greatly appreciated. I’m really trying to take my game to the next level, so any advice from more experienced golfers would be super helpful. Thanks in advance for your time!
Maintaining a stable and balanced stance is crucial when using irons. Proper foot placement, weight distribution, and body alignment are key to achieving consistent and controlled swings. Focusing on these fundamentals can significantly improve your iron play.
A good starting point is to ensure your feet are shoulder-width apart, with your weight evenly distributed. Keep your knees slightly bent and your hips back to maintain a stable base. Align your shoulders, hips, and feet parallel to your target line. Experiment to find what works best for your swing.
Setting up with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed is a great place to start. Pay attention to your body alignment and make adjustments as needed. It may take some practice, but the payoff in terms of consistent ball striking is well worth it.
Maintaining a stable stance is crucial, but don’t forget to keep your body relaxed and flexible. Tension can creep in and ruin your swing. Try some gentle stretches and practice taking a few backswings to loosen up before each shot.
Haha, you know what they say - if your stance is off, your shot’s gonna be a toss! But seriously, good posture and balance are the foundation for consistent iron play. I like to do a quick ‘check-in’ before every shot to make sure I’m set up properly.
I’ve found that practicing your stance and weight distribution at the range can really pay off on the course. Try setting up with a mirror or video to get a better feel for proper alignment. It may feel a bit unnatural at first, but it’ll become second nature with some repetition.
Couldn’t agree more. Consistent ball striking is so important, and it all starts with having a solid foundation. What’s the one thing you would recommend focusing on the most for improving stance and balance?
I’ve heard that keeping your weight a bit more on the front foot can help stabilize your stance and improve contact with the ball. Have you guys found that to be the case, or do you prefer a more centered weight distribution?
That’s an interesting point. I tend to prefer a more centered weight distribution, as I find it helps me maintain better balance and control throughout the swing. But I’m always open to trying new things - might have to give the front-foot weight shift a shot and see if it makes a difference.
Guys, I’ve found that a good drill to help with stance and balance is to practice hitting shots with your eyes closed. It really forces you to focus on your body positioning and weight distribution. Give it a try next time you’re at the range!
Hmm, hitting with your eyes closed? Sounds a bit risky, but I can see how it would help develop that internal awareness of your body. Might have to give that a go, though I’m not sure my golf buddies would appreciate it if I start taking blind swings on the course!
That’s a great idea! I’m definitely going to try that next time I’m at the range. Anything that can help me fine-tune my body positioning and weight distribution is worth a shot. Thanks for the tip, @zpope!
You know, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of stance and alignment, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is finding what works best for your individual swing. Don’t be afraid to experiment and trust your own feel for what helps you make solid, consistent contact.
Well said! There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to golf, so it’s all about finding the setup that allows you to swing freely and confidently. Definitely going to keep that in mind as I work on my iron game. Thanks for the advice, everyone!
Hah, who knew a stable stance could be so complex? But you’re all right - it’s crucial for consistent iron play. I’m going to make a point to really focus on my alignment and weight distribution next time I’m on the course. Might even try that eyes-closed drill, if I can convince my buddies to spot for me!
For long irons, try a slightly wider stance and ball position a bit forward. This will help create a more descending angle of attack and launch the ball higher. Mid irons can use a more neutral setup, with the ball centered. Short irons benefit from a narrower stance and ball position slightly back.
I find that maintaining a stable lower body and rotating the upper body more on longer irons helps me hit them crisper. With short irons, I focus on staying a bit more active through the swing to control distance. What have you all found works best for you?